Ned stared at these words, coming out of eastern lips.
“Why, when they krissed a fellow this morning, and tumbled him into the river, Dilloo Dee says one of them snatched the body under directly. He told me just now. Didn’t you see that one coming at you?”
“I saw a big fish under the lotus-leaves.”
“Big fisherman you mean. Poof!” cried the boy, bursting into a roar of laughter, “it was a great croc, and I was just in time to knock you out of the way. I thought he would have got you, he made such a rush.”
“Did—did you see him?” said Ned, turning a little white.
“Only got a glimpse of his wet scales; but I knew he was there stalking you, by that monkey scolding him. Oh my! how the little beggars do hate a croc.”
“Then—then, you saved my life, and I didn’t know it,” said Ned.
“Eh? Well, I s’pose I did, for if he had pulled you down, I don’t suppose we should ever have seen you again.”
“Ugh!” shuddered Ned. “How horrid. What a dreadful country this is.”
“Get out! I like it.”